gregwagner

Does anyone have info on the Matrix M3 conversions? I think they only made 500.

rover

I have one (being overhauled now, well very slowly)that my father bought brand new. What would you like to know? I'll try to help.
Mine is the 5.0 liter H.O. Z28 with a power top

I don't know anything about production numbers. Matrix 3 was located in Fresno, CA and has been oob for quite a while. The price was ~$25,000 it was bought from from Stevinson Chevy (I believe) in Denver there were 15 others there but some were the two seat conversions from another company.

rover

Your pic just opened for me, yours looks like your sister didn't drive it through a barbwire fence! Here is a pic of mine before I got my seats back in, I have a lot of work left though.

gregwagner

Thank you for filling me in on Matrix. Mine has a Serial number label on the drivers door post. The serial number is 53533046 converted on 7/84. The last 4 digots of the number are the same as my last 4 on my VIN. So far I have seen on tha net 2 white (with 1 black top and 1 with blue) And 1 red like ours. They all had 305 LG4s and automatics. One had a sticker on the dash that said Matrix M3. Do you know was 84 the only year? What model car did they get the trunk from. I have tried several Camaro sites but you are the first oerson that knows anything about them. I picked mine up at an estate auction for $3,500. Yours looks a lot like Ia's Camaro on CarDomain!

ajmclean

can u post links for ones on cardomain

i think they did in 1985 or may be it was another company
but when the top is down it looks like urs
i have only a pic of the top up,

i have seen other pics of 1984 (white) and seem to look the same
as urs but they say they were made by american custom coachworks
so may be its the same company
by the way i saw urs on a sharplessauctions web 2 weeks ago

gregwagner

I have been told that there were quite a few customizers that did convertible conversions on the pre 87 Camaros. Does anyone know of a book that might list a few? I attached a pic showing the back seat area. They did not do the best job making room for the top to go down but it is one way to tell the differnt makers. I have wondered what they used for the trunk, what model car it came from in 84? Yes, we got it at the Sharpless auction over a month ago. They would not believe me that they did not make converts in 84. Here are those links. 1984 Chevrolet Camaro - la's Chevrolet and 1984 Chevrolet Camaro - Greg's Chevrolet

ajmclean

lonsal told me about this book that talks about pre 87 conversions

Camaro, The Third Generation" by Miclael Lamm printed by HP Books

and this is a link for another matrix may be u have it\

1984 Chevrolet Camaro - J's Chevrolet " drop top prototype camaro"

gregwagner

I bid on that same book on e-bay but didn't win. I found it on Amazon but did not know if it had any info in it I could use, I will go back and but it now. Thanks! Here is another Matrix and an Autoform 2 seater. Trying to deside if I should leave mine as stock as I can. 1984 Chevrolet Camaro - Jessie's Chevrolet "Hot Tahti" and 1984 Chevrolet Camaro - nate's Chevrolet

rover

Your link to la's is mine. I put that on a long time ago when some people wanted to see the power top components.

$3500 sounds pretty good Your car looks nice, I wish mine was in that good of shape. I would leave it as stock as possible, (I already regret not making my seats OEM) especially with low mileage, the side panels in the back seat aren't quite right the originals had a 6x9 cloth speaker grill sewed into them, but your car looks like its in great shape. I might need some specific pics to help me as I try to get mine fixed up.
The black body trim was a dealer option. I don't know about color schemes but mine has a black, red, and orange striped decal around the bottom that was original.
I have no idea about the trunk, the pieces around the lid look custom, it was probably cut from another trunk. (?)

The ACC looks similar but the side panels in the back seat and where the top goes down inside looks different, and maybe where the top attaches to the windshield frame.

Just curious, what is your source for 500 made?

gregwagner

I saw a disscusion on camarosource.ca. On their message board the owner of Hot Thati(a white Matrix) thought they only made 50 and another guy said it was more like 500. Since the company closed so long ago I have no idea how to find out just how many they converted. The serial numbers don't tell anything, they must have just kept records of their production. All I know is all the ones I have seen were made in 84. Yours is the only one with M3 on the console that I have found.

rover

There has to be a way to find out production numbers. I wonder if the cars went from Chevrolet to matrix 3 or from a dealer to matrix 3. Either way chevrolet co. or dealers would have production numbers right? As many as the dealership bought anyway.
Maybe I'll email the dealership where it came from and see if I get a response, but I doubt I will.
If Lamm's book gives any info can someone post it.
It would be very interesting to know the #s produced.

I'm in a different state than my car right now but next time I get a chance I'll look at the matrix tag. If I remember right I think the date converted was 83 but I'm not sure.

plndtx

Could you guys post pictures on how your cars were braced by the factory?
Example; rockers, rear seat floorboards etc.

gregwagner

rover, I have ordered that book and will let you know if it has any info on Matrix3. Checking registration history on my car showed it being regis. for the first time in 86 in OK. Maybe the dealer or his family drove it. The mileage was 19600 then. By the way you are right about the stripes. I think the car has been repainted and the wrong stripes were put on. I have a friend that owns a body shop, I am going to have him look it over and maybe have him put on the correct ones.

plndtx. I will try to get some pics for you. Right now we have been having rainy,windy days with highs in the lower 50s and lows in the 30s. The car stays under cover in the garage when it's bad out. Spent too much time cleaning it to enjoy driving it in this junk. You proably know how that goes. You have a great looking car.

plndtx

Thats to bad. I bought my car in December and I have driven it every day or two since. The top has been up about 5-6 times. Most of that to wash it.

rover

I've seen the correct stripe decal on ebay for 10 - 15 bucks.
That's awesome you are going to go original! You might be really glad you did in another 25 years. These cars were the hot S*** when they were new, we couldn't go anywhere without getting yelled at and asked about the car, or if it was for sale.

I'll let you know if I get any info from the dealer, I'll pick my dad's brain and maybe he knows something more too.

RArnold

Hey, rover,,,I believe you posted earlier this year, confirming matrix verts with a power top....but you said the motor for your top had just gone bad,,,,did you find a replacement ?? my '84 has the power top also and the gut I bought it from said it didnt work and he always operated it manually.....hope to have it running this weekend,,,,carb rebuild,,,,hope to post a pic or two soon also,,

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

No production numbers for any of the convertibles are listed in the book. Just a few sentences listing the aftermarket companies that were doing conversions long before the "factory authorized" verson ASC turned out. There is still a lot of good info in the book including discussion of the early design and engineering that went into creating the ThirdGen Camaro.

Lon

rover

My motor wasn't bad, the hydraulic cylinders that attach to the top frame lost the cotter keys and were loose. I hooked them up and it worked fine.
I've had quite a bit of trouble with relays for the top located by the firewall on the drivers side (between the brake booster and fender). I think some of them had to by bypassed. From my experience I would bet the trouble is there and not the motor. I'll be where I can see the car this weekend and I'll look at the wiring and see if there is anything worth mentioning or taking a picture of.

I'm going to check my matrix tag for #s this weekend too. I wonder if the 5353 in gregwagner's # meant it was the 53rd conversion. Are your numbers similar?

ajmclean

i just saw this on ebay its 1983 vert seller says

its done by Avanti motor corp i never heard of

but i think its a matrix because top looks the same ,

any body have info on this conversion?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983-...QQcmdZViewItem

rover

That is a good looking early vert. I don't think it is a matrix though, the boot cover, the sides of the backseat, and the top of the windshield frame is different.

RArnold

my matrix s/n is 52724015 ,last 2 numbers hard to read....built 5/83.....hope to post a picture or 2 next week, hope she fires up and runs well, after a winter of work......

RArnold

After re-reading some above posts, I believe my matrix s/n ends with 4015, which is the last 4 digits of my VIN # also........

okfoz

I dont have alot of info, just this: Hope it helps

rover

Thanks for the attachments. Where did you find them?

okfoz

I bought them off a local literature seller.

John

rover

Plndtx, did you ever get pics?

I took a quick look this weekend when I was back where my car is, I couldn't see too much (low tires didn't help) but I really don't know what it looks like factory. To me it looks like there is a piece of square steel tubing welded between the front and rear wheel wells, but I don't know if this is factory.
The circled area is the steel tubing, the piece hanging down is my exhaust that is unfinished.

Rarnold, did you get your top working?

RArnold

havent had a chance to mess with the top yet --- still trying to get it to idle and drive....going to try a reman carb, the one I rebuilt was too junky really to use, but it got the engine running.....but I know of the relays you mentioned, and will check them as a trouble spot when I do try to get the top moving.....getting there slow but sure......

okfoz

As for aftermarket Convertible Conversion F-Body companies:
ASC - Probably the most common as they did the "Official" Chevrolets from 87-92 and the Official Pontiacs in 91 & 92.
Metrix3 - As seen in this thread
Hi-Line Customs - Appears to be similar to the Metrix conversion but the top does not come over the sides like the Metrix. From the side it appears to look more like the ASC conversion but the roof line appears to be longer than the ASC.
Autoform- Probably the most popular second to ASC. Because of the wild "Roadster" appearance and the lack of the back seat it really creates a unique car.
Duquet-Sawdy Inc. - a Mail order company out of Michigan, according to sources you ordered a kit and had it installed it included the re-inforcments.
Greenwood - Someone stated that they did some Camaros but are best known for Corvette conversions.
American Custom Coachworks -
Coach Builders Limited -
Autodyne Corporation -

Little is known about hte last 3.

John

trey

ANY NEW INFO ON THE MATRIX3 CONVERSION?I JUST BOUGHT A 1986 IROCZ CONVERTED 01-86 HAS SERIAL NO.IN DOOR JAMB 5447-8020 THIS IS AN IROC BLACK/SILVER TRIM AND WHEELS TPI 305,POSI DISK,LOADED.TRYING TO FIGURE OUT ANY NUMBERS ON THESE CARS/VALUE????

okfoz

Value is easy, whatever you can sell it for.

Technically & Historically a good starting point to a convertible is about twice to 1.5x the value of a comparible hard top car. Being that it was a non ASC car I would say closer to the 1.5x point.

As for numbers, your guess is as good as mine... I want to think around 500 or so for the entier run, but thats entierly a guess.

ajmclean

i just saw this on ebay 1985 T.A Matrix conversion

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/85-Tr...em250233227917

digmycelica

Hey guys,
I wanted you to know I have been trying to find out the same info about my 83 toyota celica . it has the Matrix III package too. this was the last year for the toyota because they started producing factory convertibles in 84. so it appearsa that matrix III did conversions on several makes & models.

okfoz

Its probably very possible that most of these conversion companies did other cars than just the F-body... I know most of the companies did other lines, ASC was the largest, but companies like Greenwood did the Corvette for some time....

As for info on your Celica... Sorry but I am 99.999% sure that no one would have any information here, were pretty much dedicated to 3rd Gen F-bodies... Some people even get bent out of shape when we talk about other Generation Fobodies.

John

slimwhitman

I wrote this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coach_convertible

I also started this thread:
http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/foru...9572906a164005
(since I created the original list, I have seen several Matrix3 Celicas) Please reply to that thread and submit some photos.

omnipotentgoku

iTrader: (1)

I have a notch in my heart for verts and especially these speedsters. I remember seeing a camaro speedster for sale locally once and all I could do was gawk at it all day . I've a gallery of verts and speedsters at

http://badassiroc.com

Please post up any more pictures of these speedsters. This gallery serves as a pictorial gallery of the history of TG f-bodies.

http://www.omnipotent-goku.com/iroc/...n-Convertibles

well.. and chic's that love our TG's

JohnLarson66

I saw this on eBay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=170257202851

It is an AutoForm one.

slimwhitman

I just found this '85 Camaro convertible for sale. Just letting you know it's out there. Owner says it has an ASC label in the door jamb. They built a few in '85 & '86. These are not considered prototypes, just a dealer ordered coach convertible like the Matrix3 or the AutoForm.

Owner contact is: Bryan Vidmar bjvidmar10@jcu.edu 440 567 3695
Car is near Cleveland.

okfoz

This is the first 85 I have ever seen by ASC...

John

WRKR88

this car is extreemly clean. If you want to see any other pictures let me know. bjvidmar10@jcu.edu

MEC-1

John,

I have a 1984 MatrixIII Z-28 (white w/blue interior, blue rag top). In process of restoration(slowly). Need a new top, old one is still there but lots of wear and rotten seams. Have done alot of research on this car, had it for about 15
years and has been stored most of the time. My car was converted in Jacksonville, FL and sold new at the chevy dealership there. May have to have a top cut and sewn for it, unless a later model top might be altered to fit. Open to any sugestions.

Thanks,
MEC-1

RArnold

MEC-1, any pics of your car ?? I have an '84 vert, white with blue striping and a blue top, Kinda looks like a denim type of fabric, like the Levis Jeeps softtops used to be. Is yours like that or is it a vinyl top? I have a feeling its going to be a custom job, I've never seen an answer about what kind of top might fit a Matrix 3 conversion.

84ragtopz

There were several companies that did conversions for G.M. Autoform primarily did Firebirds and some Camaros, ASC was a 4 seater that G.M. used their designs for when they started doing convertibles in if i'm not mistaken '87 Matrix was also a 4 seater I've heard that Choo Choo customs also did some cars but have not personally seen one, also Hess and I believe it was Eisenhardt also did a 2 seater. Autoform had 2 plants one was in Elkhart Indiana, and one was in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The total number of conversions was approx. 2500 cars during the 4 year period. Autoforms numbers were less than 600 cars both Camaros and Firebirds combined. I personally own an '84 Z-28 Autoform 305 H.O. car. From what I have found out somewhere around 500 305 H.O. cars were converted. These conversions cost aprox. $3000 less than a Corvette so most people would put the extra money up to get the Vette. So if your production numbers are low I'm not surprised. G.M. was smart they knew they were going to start back up the convertible program so they invite all these different companies to do these conversions and see how the sold what they looked like before they went back into production. Obviously ASC won the battle as to the design G.M. would use, I personally think that it was because their car was a 4 seat car. IMO the 2 seater looks best but why put it into competition with the Vette.

okfoz

For Production ASC clearly made more than any other company... Second is Autoform and third Matrix3. Beyond that Greenwood, Hi-Line and some others...

The reason why ASC probably "Won" the bid probably had more to do with the fact that they were doing so many other GM cars already. Up to this point ASC was the main Go-to company for GM, they did the Buick Riviera, Cadillac Eldorado, Chevy Cav, Pontiac Sunbird, Corvette, they ended up doing the Buick Reatta, SSR and the WS6 conversions from 1998 + including the Collector Edition cars... The only other company that I know of that did Convertibles on a scope like this is C&C (Cars & Concepts), they did the Olds Cutlass, mustang, and they did a bid on the Beretta Which never came about other than some prototypes...

John

slimwhitman

I agree with John. They were the go-to company for GM when it came to limited (but not small) runs of conversions.

c0y0te56

Hi
In reply to replacing a matrix 3 conv.
I just had one done.
I picked up a replacement for the later 87+ vert on E Bay
The bows matched up. I had my wife cut and sew them back so they are not glued in place anymore. I had a guy add about 3 inches behind the door at the bottom of the top Cost a 100.00 It is a little short across the front about a 1/2' on either side But I think I'll be able to make that up with the welt that goes across the front I spent the weekend working on it.
If you would like picks let me know and I'll put them up.
----------
Hi
About your vert replacment
See note I just wrote about it.
I'll help as much as possible

chevyguy84's

hey i have a 84 z28 H.O camaro matrix 3 convertible its brown with the camel tan interior and top it has the rocker emblems and door tag but i dont know if it means anything or if you guys might know there is a number welded on the mounting plate for the hydraulic pump under the pump for the top, mine has 202 welded on it.

slimwhitman

Thanks for chiming in. I am sure a Matrix owner will look at thier pump and chime in. Your door tag should have a number on it, can you tell it what it says? Even better, take a few photos to share with us.

saltydog_4

I just bought a matrix3 84 and its a little ruff needs a top I am in the middle of Kansas can anyone point a poor boy to a top shop that will do a good job for a reasonable dollar

Hotrod383

I have a factory black 84' Z28 convertible by Matrix. Mine was converted on 4/84. I have been told it very well could be the only black 84' Matrix built. Production numbers are unknown but they are one on the rarest third gens out there as many believe they were the least produced out of the 3 major manufactures. The Matrix was pre ASC. Some say you couldn't get a power top however mine has one and I'm 99.99% positive it is original by looking at it. I recently got it from a guy who had it in long term storage. It was parked in 1995 if I remember correctly. According to the CarFax I ran it had 62K miles on it in 1993. Today it has just over 65K original miles. After a good dusting, and interior detailing I was surprised that the interior is factory original mint condition. The seats, door panels, dash, console, etc, are as close to perfect as a 36yr interior can be. Everything in the car works! Even the door buzzer and light! It has never been modified in anyway. However it does need a new top custom made and it could use a paint job if you are picky. I am having the car professionally painted and a new top installed after winter. It was truly a great example of an original.

rover

Nice! Post some pictures if you get a chance. I would be interested in how they do your top and how much it costs when you get that far.